Baking Soda Dangers and Side Effects

Baking Soda (Sodium bicarbonate) is the generic name for a drug that is commonly used to treat the upset stomach caused by irritation from acid reflux. Baking soda is available in tablet form and it is also sold in combination with omeprazole as the over-the-counter (OTC) drug Zegerid for acid reflux. Sodium bicarbonate is also used in an injectable form by healthcare practitioners to help in improving the acid-base balance of the body when it becomes highly acidic, that happens in some cases of shock, diabetes, dehydration, kidney failure,  and a condition known as lactic acidosis.

Baking Soda Warnings

If you are suffering from any of the health problems, then it is not safe to use sodium bicarbonate without the recommendation of the doctor. If you are not going to ask the doctor then keep your eye on the conditions and reactions given below.

• Having any allergies to sodium bicarbonate or any other ingredients included in the medication
• Any Kidney problems
• Heart disease or heart failure in the past
• If your body has potassium, sodium, chloride or calcium at abnormal levels then your doctor will never ask you to use sodium bicarbonate in your medication.
• It will be good to discuss with your doctor if you are on a low-sodium diet or have any kidney problems.
• If the pH level of the body is higher than normal (known as alkalosis), your doctor will not make you allow to take sodium bicarbonate.
• If you are already using sodium bicarbonate then it is recommended not to consume large amounts of high calcium-containing foods.
• And you must have to avoid any calcium supplements as well.
• If you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant than baking soda medication is completely restricted for you. And at the same time, the same rule is applied to breastfeeding mothers.

Serious Effects and Reactions of Sodium Bicarbonate Medication

There are some serious reactions and effects of taking baking soda medication as well. So it is essential to keep watch and notice any sudden change in your normal health routine.

• Tetany (Severe muscle spasms and contractions)
• Increase in the level of sodium in the body
• Increased level of body pH
• Swelling in lower legs, ankles as well as in feet
• Worsening congestive heart failure
• Seizures
• Using sodium bicarbonate in the injection form may cause reddening of the skin or the serious irritation at the site of the injection.

If you are using sodium bicarbonate then these following drugs should never be taken with baking soda medication:

• Amphetamine
• Lisdexamfetamine
• Didrex, Recede (Benzphetamine)
• Urex (Methenamine)